January 17, 1968. President Johnson talks by phone from his white House with a member of his cabinet today as he put the polishing touches to his State of The Union message to be delivered later in the evening to a joint session of congress. Bettmann / Getty Images

The 36th President of the United States is often recalled as a complex, flawed individual responsible for profoundly important legislation. However, he was also a notorious telephone fanatic, installing loads of phones in both the White House and his Texas ranch. Here's the kicker: He recorded almost everything.